4 Reasons to Stay at The Curtis, Denver’s Most Upbeat, Uplifting Boutique Hotel

It’s impossible not to grin at least once when you stay at The Curtis, a DoubleTree by Hilton high-rise hotel in downtown Denver. That’s because it’s the most upbeat, irreverent property I’ve ever encountered, filled with pop-culture references, childhood memories and funny voices in the elevator! And those famous, warm DoubleTree by Hilton cookies that the front desk will hand you when you walk in… that’s heaven in a bag right there. Never mind that each cookie has 18 grams of fat. After all, as the song goes… you know the one… “Don’t worry, be happy!” That’s exactly what you’ll be when you book a room at The Curtis. Here’s why:

Fun begins in the lobby: Hula hoops hang on the wall behind the front desk, so staff can break out into hooping contests at a moment’s notice. The little “Five & Dime” store adjacent to the front desk sells all those retro toys and candy you might remember from childhood, like Etch-a-Sketches, Rubiks Cubes, Slinkys, Bazooka Joe bubblegum and Swedish Fish. Bookshelves have games like Jenga, Monopoly, Scrabble and Candyland that guests can borrow. I already mentioned the awesome chocolate chip cookies all guests get on arrival; I was also offered a chilled bottle of water. So nice!

Themed floors are so clever: Every floor of the hotel has a theme. When I exited the elevator to get to my room, Rocky’s voice welcomed me, “Yo, 10th Floor, the Floor of Champions.” There were posters of Muhammad Ali, and framed Sports Illustrated covers. I actually took the elevator to several other floors, just to see whose voice would be in the elevator! My favorite: the Big Hair Floor, where Marge Simpson greeted me as I stepped from the elevator with her trademark screechy voice, “Don’t forget to duck on the way out!” Here in the hallways were photographs of people with 70s-style afros, plus posters of Hair and Hairspray. Other themed floors include Chick Flick, Sci-Fi Floor and Mad About Music.

The location rocks: The Curtis is across the street from the Denver  Center for the Performing Arts. I’d highly recommend anyone in town for a musical or other show at the Buell Theatre to stay at The Curtis. You can’t beat the convenient location. Of course, it’s also within walking distance of downtown’s other attractions and restaurants. No matter what your Denver plans — Rockies game, Pepsi Center event, a night of dining and dancing — you’ll be happy to return to a comfortable room at night, decorated in warm browns, with touches of bright orange.

The Corner Office is super cool: This on-site restaurant and martini bar also has a retro vibe, with 60s-style green molded chairs and vintage photographs on the walls. I love the diner-like seats at the full bar. I ate here for breakfast, and the menu is irreverently funny. For example, under “things my spouse won’t let me eat,” you’ll find chorizo and eggs, as well as the Santa Fe breakfast burrito. Healthier options are “spouse approved,” such as the veggie frittata and Irish steel cut oatmeal.

Lunch features salads, sandwiches and yummy entrees like baked lobster mac and cheese and baja fish tacos. Dinner brings more items for sharing, like shrimp ceviche and a Mediterranean hummus platter. I’d love to try the tikka masala; you can go big with Southern chicken and waffles!

I think the most fun meal at The Corner Office, however, is the Sunday Disco Brunch, when staffers dress the part in 1970s garb and there’s a full Bloody Mary bar. Speaking of bar, I’m told this is a wildly popular place for happy hour, when local hipsters congregate after the workday is done. No matter when you visit, be sure to check out the Post-It Notes wall in each; grab a blank Post-It and write your answer to the question of the moment!

Really, I couldn’t find much fault with The Curtis. My room was plenty big enough, with a seating area and coffeemaker, and wireless internet is included in the room rate. The fitness center is small, and in a windowless room, but it had all the equipment you’d expect.

Valet parking is $28 a night; self-parking at the on-site garage is $22/night. As of October 22, only valet parking will be available. I could have parked my car someplace cheaper, perhaps, at a nearby lot, but sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for the convenience of having your car brought curbside by a friendly valet when you need it.

While the hotel doesn’t have a pool — an amenity I love for entertaining kids — I think my school-age children would enjoy staying at The Curtis because they can borrow those classic games in the lobby, and I’m sure they’d have a ball, like I did, checking out all of the different themes on the various floors. The Corner Office also has a kids’ menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel is pet friendly.

Check out some of the specials and packages that The Curtis is currently offering. I love the sound of the  Halloween-themed October  27 “A Nightmare on Curtis Street” experience. The hotel will go all out to spook its guests with surprises of the scary variety. Do you dare stay on the  DUN DUN DUNNNNNN 13th floor? Boo!

I received a complimentary stay at The Curtis for purposes of review.

Denver Hotels